Key-receiving lock assemblies and apparatus incorporating such assemblies

ABSTRACT

In a key-receiving lock assembly for controlling access to or use of leased apparatus, two remotely energized electromagnets may be operated alternately to engage and disengage a securing member relative to the operable elements of the lock, said securing member, when engaged, securing the key within the lock and securing the operable elements of the lock in a position preventing access to or use of the apparatus protected by the lock. A switch inhibits engagement of the securing member unless the key is in the lock and the lock is in the securing position. A second switch, closed by lock rotation to a position other than the securing position or the position in which the key is insertable into and removable from the lock, provides continuous operational access to the apparatus protected by the lock. A third switch provides transient energization of a circuit such as required for starting of an internal combustion engine. Disconnectable remote control means, with protective features, are included.

United States Patent 1 Hills [451 Mar. 19, 1974 KEY-RECEIVING LOCKASSEMBLIES AND APPARATUS INCORPORATING SUCH ASSEMBLIES [76] Inventor:Austin Ariss Hills, 227 Hespeler Rd., R.R. 3, Galt, Ontario, Canada [22]Filed: Jan. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 327,709

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.240,996. April 4.

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 200/44, 70/429, 340/147 R,

[51] Int. Cl E05b 11/00 58 .Field of Search 70/239, 429; 200/42 R,

' 200/44; 340/147 R, l47 LP; 307/10 R, 10 AT [5 6] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2.475.220 7/l949 Chaulk et al 307/10 R 2.601.6446/1952 Swem 70/429 Pr imar v Etamiper Robert K. Schaefer AssistantExaminerWilliam J. Smith [571 ABSTRACT In a key-receiving lock assemblyfor controlling access to or use of leased apparatus, two remotelyenergized electromagnets may be operated alternately to engage anddisengage a securing member relative to the operable elements of thelock, said securing member, when engaged, securing the key within thelock and securing the operable elements of the lock in a positionpreventing access to or use of the apparatus protected by the lock. Aswitch inhibits engagement of the securing member unless the key is inthe lock and the lock is in the securing position. A second switch,closed by lock rotation to a position other than the securing positionor the position in which the key is insertable into and removable fromthe lock, provides continuous operational access to the apparatusprotected by the'lock. A third switch provides transient energization ofa circuit such as required for starting of an internal combustionengine. Disconnectable remote control means, with protective features,are included.

44 Claims, 29 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMR 191914 SHEET 1 BF 7 .liL

PATENTEUHAR 1 9 1914 3798x398 59 I fills? KEY-RECEIVING LOCK ASSEMBLIESAND APPARATUS INCORPORATING SUCH ASSEMBLIES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to key-receiving lock assemblies for use incontrolling access to or use of leased apparatus, and to apparatusincorporating such assemblies.

.' The leasing of tools, vehicles, construction machinery and similarcapital equipment has become a recognized industry, partly as a matterof convenience and partly with the recognition of the economicinadvisability of committing capital funds to ownership of infrequentlyused items. Responsibility for the leased equipment is vested in thelessee and it is desirable to provide the lessee with a method ofcontrol over spurious use of such equipment by unauthorized persons.

The lock and key assemblies described and claimed herein permit exposureof equipment to prospective lessees with the key insitu in the lock but,by securing the key against removal from the lock and by securing thelock against rotation to a position in which the controlled apparatusisoperable by the lock, permits controlled access for use "or removal ofsuch equipment, for example only upon satisfactory identification of aprospective lessee either by personal representation or by use of amachine readable identification card. Thereafter, and by i use of thelock and key in a conventional manner, the lessee hasrepeated andexclusive access to the leased equipment for the duration of the leaseand until termination of the lease has been recognized by the leasingagency and the key has once again been rendered captive in the lock andthe lock secured against roation into a position in which the controlledapparatus is operable by the lock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the first embodiment of thisinvention the key-securing position of the key-receiving member iscoincident 'with the locked position in which the key is normallyinsertable into and removable from the lock. Alternate energization of apair of electromagnets mounted on the lock but controlled by a remoteagency causes a key-retaining latch to move either into or out ofengagement with a retaining slot in the key..The said key-retaininglatch cooperates with a key-sensing member to prohibit rotation of thekey-receiving member out of the locked position, in which the key isotherwise normally insertable into and removable from the lock, wheneverthe key is retained in the lock by said latch, and also to prohibitinadvertent movement of the key-retaining latch from the key releaseposition into the key-retain position at all times while the key isremoved from or incompletely inserted into the lock or while the lock isin any position other than the locked position. 7

Further in accordancewiththe first embodiment the key-sensing memberengages two electrical switches in such a manner as to cause bothswitches to be open when the key is removed from or incompletelyinserted into the lock, but to cause one or the other to be closed whenthe key is fully inserted into the lock, dependent upon whether the lockis in the locked or unlocked position. One switch, closed when the lockis in the locked position, is connected in series with the electromagnetwhich moves the key-retaining latch from the key-releasezintothekey-retaining position, and hence inhibits energization of thiselectromagnet by the remote agency if the key is absent from orincompletely inserted into the lock, or if the lock is in any positionother than the locked position. The second switch, closed when the lockis in either of two unlocked positions, completes the enabling circuitto the article to be leased and hence permits use or operation of thisarticle.

Finally in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention alever, operated by additional rotation of the key-receiving memberagainst a return spring and into the second unlocked position, causesmomentary closure of a third switch such as might be required forstarting of an internal combustion engine or the momentary retraction ofan electromagnetically operated drawbolt for access to a lockedcompartment.

In accordance with the second embodiment of this invention thekey-securing position of the keyreceiving member is a position otherthan the locked position in which the key is insertable into andremovable from the lock. Alternate energization of a pair ofelectromagnets mounted on the lock but controlled by a remote agencycauses a securing pin to move into or out of engagement with arecess inthe key-receiving member, the said pin, when engaged, prohibitingrotation of the key-receiving member out of the keysecuring position.Since the key-securing position is a position other than the lockedposition in which the key is insertable into and withdrawable from thelock, and since the key-receiving member cannot be rotated into thekey-securing position if the key is absent from the lock, and since theapparatus controlled by the lock is inoperable when the key-receivingmember is in the key-securing position, and since engagement of thesecuring pin prohibits rotation of the key-receiving member to aposition permitting operation of or access to the apparatus, then thekey is rendered captive in the lockand the lock is rendered inoperativerelative to the apparatus controlled by the lock unless and until thesecuring pin is disengaged from the recess by one of the above mentionedelectromagnets. Misalignment between the securing pin and its recess forall positions of the key-receiving member except the key-securingposition prevents inadvertent movement of the securing pin into thesecuring recess at all times when the key is removed from the lock orwhen the lock is in any position other than the key-securing position.

Also in accordance with the second embodiment a switch plate, mounted torotate with the key-receiving member, causes all lock circuits to beopen when the lock is in the locked position, independently of thepresence of the key in the lock. The key-securing elec-' tromagnetcircuit is closed by the switch plate only when the key-receiving memberis in the key-securing position, preventing energization of thiselectromagnet by the remote agency if the key is absent from the lock orif the lock is in any position other than the key- 'securing,position.With the key-receiving member in either of two unlocked positions otherthan the keysecuring position the switch plate completes the enablingcircuit to the article to be leased and hence permits use or operationof this article.

Finally in accordance with the second embodiment of this inventionrotation of the key-receiving member and the switch plate against areturn spring and into the second unlocked position causes momentaryclosure of a circuit such as might be required for starting of aninternal combustion engine or the momentary retraction of anelectromagnetically operated drawbolt for access to a lockedcompartment.

In both embodiments the lock and the equipment controlled by the lockare disconnectably connected to the remote agency, permitting mobilityof the equipment. The remote agency is provided with means indicatingspurious disconnection of the lock, the leased or available status ofthe equipment, and failure to achieve the conditions necessary forsecuring the key within the lock at the time of return of the equipment.

The invention as described in this disclosure has specific applicationto internal combustion engines in which it is necessary to provide amomentary start circuit while maintaining a continuous operate or runcircuit to the ignition. It will be understood that by elimination ofthe momentary switching capability and use of only the continuousoperate circuit the invention is applicable to machine tools,electrically propelled vehicles and such equipment as is dependentsolely upon an electrical supply for their operation and, conversely, byeliminating the continuous operate circuit and using only the momentaryswitching capability in association with an electromagnetically operateddrawbolt, the lock may be used to control access to equipment containedwithin a locked enclosure.

It is a further object of this invention that the key, when acquired inthe manner described, shall permit the lessee exclusive access to thepassenger compartment of, the vehicle for the duration of the lease. Tothis end it is intended that the door(s) of the vehicle shall beequipped with lock(s) operable by the subject key, but that theselock(s) shall not be equipped with the switches and key-retainingfeatures described in this disclosure.

It is another object of this invention that the lock, when used with anelectric credit or identification card and card reader system possiblybut not necessarily of the type described in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,200,194or 3,544,769, and when used in association with a long term pre-arrangedlease agreement, shall permit periodic lease acquisition of equipmentwithout recourse to personal contact and the delays and inconveniencescurrently associated with such periodic lease procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a partially sectionedperspective view of the first embodiment of the lock assembly showingthe key in the assembly lock and the lock in the first or lockedposition, and with the key released to permit turning or removal;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with the cover plateremoved and with the key in the lock and the lock in the first or lockedposition, but with the key secured within the lock;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 5 is a partial transverse section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a rear sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 andshowing the detail of an overtravel feature of the assembly;

FIG. 8 is a partial rear view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with the lock inthe first or locked position but with key released and removed from ornot fully inserted into the lock;

FIG. 9 is a partial rear view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with the key inbut released by the lock and with the lock in the second or unlockedoperate position;

FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of the assembly of FIG. 2 with the key inbut released by the lock and with the lock in the third or unlockedstart position;

FIG. 11 is a partial rear section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4, butwith the lock in the condition described for FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view of the external electric terminals used, in the firstembodiment, for connecting the lock to an external circuit;

FIG. 13 is a schematic circuit diagram to illustrate the application ofthe first embodiment of the lock assembly to an associated vehicle andremote control station as arranged for operation by an attendant;

FIG. 14 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the circuit of FIG. 13modified for use with an electronic credit card system;

FIG. 15 is a sectioned perspective view of the second embodiment of thelock assembly with the key in the lock and with the key-receiving memberin, and secured in, the key-securing position;

FIG. 16 is a sectioned view taken along the axis of the secondembodiment of the lock assembly with the key in the key-receiving memberand with the key receiving member in the locked position;

FIG. 17 is a transverse section taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16 withthe lock in the condition described for FIG. 16, and showing thekey-receiving member securing means;

FIG. 18 is a transverse section taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 16 withthe lock in the condition described for FIG. 16, and showing thekey-receiving member detenting means;

FIG. 19 is an offset transverse section taken along line 19-19 of FIG.16 with the lock in the locked position, and showing the torsion returnspring;

FIG. 20 is a transverse section taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 16 withthe lock in the locked position, and showing the spring plate;

FIG. 21 is an offset transverse section taken along line 21-21 of FIG.16 with the lock in the locked position, and showing the spring plateretaining means and the splined mounting of the contact plate carrier;

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the lock with thelock in the locked position, and with the terminal plate removed to showthe contact plate;

FIG. 23 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the lock, showing theterminal plate connections;

FIG. 24 is a transverse section taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 16,showing the switch configuration with the lock in the locked position;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the switch configuration of FIG. 24, but withthe lock in the key-securing position;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of the switch configuration of F I6. 24, butwiththe lock in the unlocked operate position;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of the switch configuration of FIG. 24, but withthelock in the unlocked start posi- FIG. 29 is a schematic circuit diagramshowing the circuit of FIG. 28 modified for use with an electroniccredit card system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The key-receiving lock (FIG. 1)of the first embodiment of the assembly may be any conventional form ofcyliner lock well known to the art and concerning which, except forspecific modifications to the key and cylinder as described hereafter,detailed description is considered unnecessary. It is understood thatthe lock is of the type permitting insertion and removal of a key 21 inonly one predetermined position, hereafter referred to as the lockedposition.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 5, the key 21 projects-through akey-receiving member, in this embodiment being the cylinder 22 of thelock, to permit a key-retaining slot 23 provided in the back edge 24 ofthe key to receive a key-retaining latch 25 when said latch is in itskey-securing position. The key-retaining latch is remotely movablebetween the said keysecuring position and the key-release position byelectric motor means, in this embodiment constituted by electromagnets26 and 27, the latch being detented in either position by a latch detentspring 28 having a projecting portion 29 engageable in respectivenotches 30 and 31 in the latch. A key-sensing member 32 and a cylinderlever 33 (FIG. 11), constituting movable control members, are positionedby the bitted edge 34 of the key and by projection 35 (FIG. 11) of thelock cylinder respectively and permit operation of one or more of aplurality of switches, shown collectively in FIG. 2 as switch assembly36, dependent upon the presence or absence of the key within the lockand the position of the lock cylinder relative to the frame 37 of thelock assembly.

referring now in more detail to FIGS. 3 and 5, the removal of key 21from the lock is prevented by the presence of edge 38 of thekey-retaining latch 25 in the key-retaining slot 23. The key-retaininglatch is pivotally mounted at 39 to the frame 37 and is caused to moveinto or out of engagement with the key-retaining slot by energization ofthe keywetaining electromagnet 26 or the key-release electromagnet 27respectively, being retained in the position to which it has been movedby the last energized electromagnet by engagement of the latch detentspring projection 29 with the key-retaining notch 30 or the key-releasenotch 31. With the key in and secured within the lock, and with the lockin the locked position, a projection 40 of the key-sensing member 32 isinterposed between the bitted edge 34 of the key and edge 41 of thekey-retaining latch, thus permitting only minor and insignificantrotation of the key 21 and lock cylinder 22 in the lock barrel 42. Thekey-retaining latch is pivotally connected to the key-retainingelectromagnet plunger 43 by pin 44, and to the key-release electromagnetplunger 45 by pin 46, and is moved from engagement in the key-retainingslot by energization of the keyrelease electromagnet, permitting removalof the key from the lock and also, byremoving edge 41 of thekey-retaining latch from interference with the projection 40, permittingrotation of the key and cylinder to the unlocked positions (FIGS. 9 and10). The lock cylinder is positioned and, in the absence of manual forceon the key, is retained in a first locked or second unlocked operateposition by engagement of a projection 47 on the cylinder detent spring48 with a locked detent groove 49 or an unlocked detent groove 50,respectively, in the lock cylinder (FIG. 11).

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, the key-sensing member 32 is pivotallymounted to the frame of the lock by a shouldered screw 51. Anelectrically non-conductive sleeve 52 is secured to the key-sensingmember by a pin 53 and is constrained between spring contacts 54 and 55,causing the key-sensing member to assume a median position with bothspring contacts open relative to their respective contact plates 56 and57 when the key is removed from the lock (FIG. 8). The said springcontacts are biased against an electrically nonconductive post 58secured to the lock frame, thus providing a more positive delineation ofsaid median position. During insertion of the key into the lock flank 59of recess 60 in the key-engaged end of the keysensing member is engagedby an inclined leading edge 61 of the key (FIG. 5), causing rotation ofthe keysensing member and, through sleeve 52, causing closure of springcontact 54 upon its contact plate 56 while the lock is in the lockedposition.

The key-retaining slot 23 is extended lengthwise of the key sufficientlyto ensure entry of the key-retaining latch into the slot when the keyhas been inserted into the lock to a depth sufficient to cause closureof spring contact 54 on contact plate 56. Rotation of the key in thelock causes spring contact 54 to break contact with contact plate 56and, by engagement of the bitted edge of the key with flank 62 of recess60, causes spring contact 55 to close upon its contact plate 57 when thelock is in either the unlocked operate (FIG. 9) or the unlocked start(FIGS. 10 and 11) position. The detenting force of the cylinder detentspring projection 47 engaging in grooves 49 and 50 is of sufficientmagni tude to secure the lock cylinder in its manually set positionagainst the centralizing force of spring contacts 54 or 55. With the keyremoved from the lock or incompletely inserted into the lock, or withthe key fully inserted into the lock and the lock in any position otherthan the locked position, movement of the keyretaining latch from thekey-release into the key-retain position, as might be inadvertentlycaused by shock or vibration or deliberately attempted by energizationof the key-retaining electromagnet, is positively pre vented byinterference of projection 40 on the keysensing member with edge 63 ofthe key-retaining latch (see for example FIG. 10).

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 11, the cylinder lever 33 is also pivotallymounted to the frame by shouldered screw 51, being separated from thekey-sensing member by a washer 64. An electrically nonconductive sleeve65 is secured to the cylinder lever by a pin 66 and is constrainedbetween spring contact 67 and spring extension 68, causing the cylinderlever to assume a rest position with spring contact 67 open relative toits respective contact plate 69 in the absence of external force. Thespring contact 67 and the spring extension 68 are biassed against theelectrically non-conductive post 58 as previously described in respectto spring contacts 54 and 55. Extension 70 on the cylinder lever isengaged by projection 35 on the lock cylinder when the lock cylinder isrotated beyond the second unlocked operate position and into the thirdunlocked start position, causing spring contact 67 to close upon contactplate 69. The cylinder lever is returned to its rest position by springcontact 67 upon return of the lock cylinder to its second unlockedoperate position as will be subsequently described. The profile of flank62 on the key-sensing member is formed to minimize angular motion of thekey-sensing member due to rotation of the key between the unlockedoperate and the unlocked start positions.

Referring especially to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the lock cylinder is axiallyconstrained in the lock barrel by means of projection 71 on the cylinderretaining plate 72 which protrude into an interrupted groove 73 in thelock cylinder. The lock cylinder is free to rotate independently of thecylinder retaining plate through the range between the locked andunlocked operate positions, this range being limited by abutment of endsurfaces 74 and 75 of the interrupted groove with edges 76 and 77,respectively, of the cylinder retaining plate. The cylinder retainingplate is caused to rotate with the lock cylinder and in opposition totorsion spring 78 (FIG. by abutment of surface 74 against edge 76 whenthe lock cylinder is rotated beyond the unlocked operate position andinto the unlocked start position in a counter-clockwise sense as viewedfrom the back of the lock (FIGS. 9 and The range of this rotation isdetermined by the arcuate dimension of an arcuate slot 79 in thecylinder retaining plate through which a retaining shouldered screw 80,secured to the frame, protrudes. Upon removal of external torque appliedby the key the lock cylinder is returned to the unlocked operateposition by the torsion spring, the working end 81 thereof engaging innotch 82 of the cylinder retaining plate, the fixed end 83 of saidtorsion spring being constrained in recess 84 in the lock frame.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a contact spring unit 85, forming aportion of the switch assembly shown collectively as 36 (FIG. 2),comprises spring contacts 54, 55 and 67 and spring extension 68, all ofwhich are integral with and therefore electrically connected to a commonconnector section 86. The contact spring unit 85, contact plates 56, 57and 69 and connector strips 87 and 88 are electrically insulated fromeach other by the upper, central and lower terminal blocks 89, 90 and 91respectively, being mounted in slots 92 in the said upper and lowerterminal blocks and secured therein by engagement of projections 93 insaid slots with notches 94 in the contact spring unit, contact platesand connector strips (FIG. 1). The terminal blocks are secured to eachother and to the frame of the lock assembly by screws 95. Thekey-retaining latch detent spring 28 and the cylinder detent spring 48are integral extensions of the detent plate 96, being secured to thelower terminal block by screws 97 (FIG. 6).

The schematic circuits of FIGS. 13 and 14 are shown in the configurationapplicable when the key is fully inserted into the lock and the lock isin the keysecuring position which, in this embodiment, corresponds withthe locked position in which the key is insertable into and removablefrom the key-receiving member (corresponding to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). Theleasable equipment is shown as a vehicle connected to the remote controlstation through disconnectable plug and socket connections 98, 99, and101.

Plug and socket connections 98 and 101 are permanently connected toopposite ends of the operating winding of the key-release electromagnet27, one end being connected through contact spring extension 68 and thecommon spring connector section 86 to connection 98, the other end beingconnected through connector strip 88 to connection 101. Plug and socketconnections 98 and 100 are switachably connected through the operatingwinding of the key-retaining electromagnet 26, one winding end beingconnected internally to the lock at terminal 108 of contact plate 56(FIG. 1) and hence, with the lock in the configuration stated, beingconnected through switching spring contact 54 and the common springconnector section 86 to connection 98, and the other end beingpermanently connected through connector strip 87 to connection 100. Plugand socket connections 98 and 99 are similarly switchably connected by aconductor joining connection 99 to contact plate 56 externally to thelock and, with the lock in the configuration stated, connected throughspring contact 54 and the common spring connector section 86 toconnection 98. With the key removed from or incompletely inserted intothe key-receiving member, or with the key fully inserted into thekey-receiving member and the key-receiving member in any position otherthan the key-securing position, spring contact 54 is open relative tocontact plate 56, causing connections 100 and 101 to be electricallydisconnected from connection 98 internally to the lock.

Vehicle ignition circuit is connected between one terminal of thevehicle battery 107 and the exterior terminal of contact plate 57 and,when the lock is rotated to the unlocked operate position (FIG. 9) or tothe unlocked start position (FIG. 10), is connected through springcontact 55 and the common spring connector section 86 to the oppositeterminal of battery 107. Vehicle start relay 121 is connected betweenone terminal of the vehicle battery 107 and the exterior terminal ofcontact plate 69 and, when the lock is rotated into the unlocked startposition (FIGS. 10 and 11), is connected through spring contact 67 andthe common spring connector section 86 to the opposite terminal ofbattery 107, permitting starting of the vehicle in the usual manner.With the key-receiving member in the locked position and hence, in thisembodiment, the key-securing position, spring contacts 55 and 67 areopen relative to their respective contact plates 57 and 69 independentlyof the presence or absence of the key and independently of thekey-secured or key-released condition of the lock, thus preventingoperation of the vehicle.

With reference to FIGS. 15 to 29, and for descriptive purposes relativeto this second embodiment, the various positions of the key-receivingmember as viewed from the key end of the lock, and listed in clockwiseorder from the extreme counter-clockwise position, will be; thekey-securing position, the locked position, the unlocked operateposition, and the unlocked start position.

157, 158 and 159, respectively,

The key-receiving lock 140 (FIG. of the second embodiment of theassembly may be any conventional form of cylinder lock well known to theart and concerning which, except for specific modifications to thecylinder and barrel as described hereafter, detailed description isconsidered unnecessary. It is understood that the lock is of the typepermitting insertion and removal of a key 141 in only one predeterminedposition, hereafter referred to as the locked position.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 15 and 17, the keyreceiving member, inthis embodiment being the cylinder 142 of the lock, has a securingrecess 143 so located in the periphery 144 as to permit the keyreceivingmember securing pin 145, hereafter referred to as the securing pin, toengage the recess and secure the key-receiving member against rotationonly when the key-receiving member is in the key-securing position. Thesecuring pin is remotely and alternately movable between thekey-receiving member securing and release positions by electric motormeans, in this embodiment constituted by securing and releaseelectromagnets indicated generally by reference numerals 146 and 147respectively, these electromagnets being arranged coaxially' to operateon a common plunger 148 of which the securing pin is an integralextension.

Energization of the releasing electromagnet causes retraction of thesecuring pin from recess 143, thereby permitting operation of the lookby the key in a conventional manner and permitting removal and insertionof the key when the key-receiving member is rotated into the lockedposition. A switch plate 149, mounted on and electrically insulated fromthe lock by switch plate carrier 150, is arranged to rotate with thekey-receiving member and to selectively switch various circuitsdependent upon the position of the keyreceiving member as will behereafter described.

Referring now in more detail to FIGS. 16 and 17, the key-securing andkey-releasing electromagnet coils I51 and 152, respectively, are woundon bobbins 153, the wire leads 154 being brought out through slot 155(FIG. 19) in the electromagnet sleeve 156. The electromagnet sleeve,upper, central and lower pole pieces and the common plunger 148 are ofsoft annealed iron or similar material having high magnetic permeabilityand low residual magnetism. A thin walled plunger sleeve 160 ofnon-magnetic material is pierced at 161 to permit plunger detent pin 162to engage key-securing or keyreleasing detent grooves 163 or 164,respectively, in the common plunger, this engagement being maintained byplunger detent pin spring 165. For all positions of the key-receivingmember other than the keysecuring position inadvertent movement of thesecuring pin into the securing position, as might be caused by roadshock, vibration or impact during operation of the vehicle or when thevehicle is left with the lock in the locked position is positivelyprevented by abutment of the 'end of the securing pin against theperiphery 144 of the key-receiving member, thus maintaining the commonplunger and hence the securing pin within the control range of thedetent pin in the key-releasing detent groove 164. Thelock barrel 166 issecured in the lock frame 167 by sleeve 168 (FIGS. 15 and 17) withinwhich the securing pin 145 is free to move axially. 'Sleeve 168 and theelectromagnet assembly are retained within the lock frame by cover plate169, se-

cured to the frame by staking of the frame over the plate.

Referring to FIGS. l5, 19, 20 and 21, retaining ring 170 engages groove171 in the key-receiving member and, through spacer washer 172 andspring plate 173 in contact with an annular extension 174 on the lockbarrel, axially secures the key-receiving member in the lock barrel. Thekey-receiving member is free to rotate independently of the spring plateover the range corresponding to the key-securing, locked, and unlockedoperate positions, this range being limited by abutment of surfaces 175and 176 of splines 177 on thekeyreceiving member against edges 178 and179, respectively, of the spring plate (FIGS. 15 and 20). The fixed end180 of torsion spring 181 (FIG. 19) is constrained within recess 182 inthe lock frame, the working end 183 of the spring engaging hole 184 inthe spring plate and causing edge 185 of the spring plate to be heldagainst projection 186 of the lock frame in the absence of externaltorque by the key and key-receiving member. Rotation of the key andkey-receiving member beyond the key-securing position in a clockwisesense as viewed from the back of the lock (FIG. 20) is thus prevented byengagement of surface 176 against edge 179 and edge 185 againstprojection 186. The spring plate is caused to rotate with thekey-receiving member and in opposition to torsion spring 181 by abutmentof surface 175 against edge 178 when the key and keyreceiving member arerotated beyond the unlocked operate position and into theunlocked startposition in a counter-clockwise sense as viewed from the back of thelock, the limit of this rotation being determined by abutment of edge187 of the spring plate against projection 186 of the lock frame. Thekey and keyreceiving member are returned to the unlocked operateposition by the torsion spring upon removal of external torque on thekey.

Referring to FIG. 18, compression spring 188 holds the key-receivingmember detent pin 189 in engagement with the key-securing, locked, orunlocked operate detent grooves 190, 191, or 192, respectively, in thekey-receiving member and, assuming the keyreceiving member is nototherwise secured either in the key-securing position by engagement ofthe securing pin l45in its recess or in the locked position by absenceof the key from the lock, retains the keyreceiving member in thecorresponding position in the absence of external torque on the key. Theabsence of a detent groove corresponding to the unlocked start positionpermits unobstructed return of the keyreceiving member from the unlockedstart position into the unlocked operate position by torsion spring 181.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 21 and 22, extensions 193 on 177 on thekey-receiving member. Compression spring 197 mounted in concentricrecess 198 in the keyreceiving member, and reacting on the switch platecarrier, causes raised contact points 199, 200 and 201 to be pressedagainst the terminal plate assembly, shown collectively as 202 on FIG.15.

Referring to FIGS. 16, 23 and 24, switching terminals 203, 204, 205 and206 extend through terminal plate 207 and are secured into the terminalplate by staked washers 208. The switching surfaces of the terminals,shown collectively as 209, are flush with the inside surface 210 of theterminal plate and selectively make and break electrical connection withraised contact points 199, 200 and 201 on the switch plate for variouspositions of the key-receiving member as will be subsequently described.Binding posts 211 and 212 are secured to, and electrically insulatedfrom the lock by, the terminal plate and, with terminals 203, 204, 205and 206, provide the means for connection -of the lock to exteriorcircuits. The terminal plate. assembly is secured into the frame of thelock by staking of the frame over the plate (FIG. 16), the electromagnetleads 154 being brought out of the lock through aperture 213 formedbetween the terminal plate and channel 214 of the frame. I

The switching function of the switch plate relative to the terminalplate may be best understood by reference to FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27.The switching surface of terminal 205 is extended in an arcuatedirection and maintains contact with raised contact point 201 for allpositions of the key-receiving member, whence the switch plate 149 andits raised contact points 199 and 200 are at all times in electricalconnection with terminal 205. With the key-receiving member in thelocked position (FIG. 24) contact points 199 and 200 bear upon theelectrically non-conductive terminal plate, and terminals 203, 204 and206 are electrically isolated from the switch plate. With thekey-receiving member in the key-securing position (FIG. 25) contactpoint 200 is closed upon terminal 206 and hence completes the circuit tothe key-securing electromagnet coil as will be subsequently described.Contact point 199 bears upon the terminal plate and terminals 203 and204 remain electrically isolated from the switch plate. With thekey-receiving member in the unlocked operate position (FIG. 26) contactpoint 199 is closed upon terminal 204 while contact point 200 bears uponthe terminal plate and terminals 203 and 206 remain electricallyisolated from the switch plate. With the key-receiving member in theunlocked start position (FIG. 27) contact point 199 remains closed uponterminal 204 and contact point 200 is closed upon terminal 203 whileterminal 206 is electrically isolated from the switch plate. I

The schematic circuits of FIGS. 28 and 29 are shown in the configurationapplicable when the lock is in the key-securing position (correspondingto FIGS. and 25) which, in this embodiment, is a position other thanthat in which the key is insertable into and removable from the lock. Itwill be understood that the keyreceiving member can only be rotated intothe keysecuring position if the key is fully inserted into thekey-receiving member, whence securing of the keyreceiving member in thekey-securing position also secures the key against removal from thelock. The leasable equipment is again shown as a vehicle connected totheremote control station through disconnectable plug and socketconnections 98, 99, 100 and 101.

Plug and socket connections 98 and 101 are permanently connected toopposite ends of the key-release electromagnet coil 152, one end beingconnected through switching terminal 205 to connection 98 and the otherend being connected through binding post 212 to connection 101. Plug andsocket connections 98 and are switchably connected through thekeysecuring electromagnet coil 151, one end of the coil being connectedto switching terminal 206 and hence, with the lock in the key-securingposition, connected through switch plate 149, contact points 200 and 201and switching terminal 205 to connection 98, and the other end of thecoil being permanently connected through binding post 211 to connection100. Plug and socket connections 98 and 99 are similarly switchablyconnected by a conductor joining connection 99 to switching terminal 206and, with the lock in the keysecuring position, connected throughswitchplate 149, contact points 200 and 201 and switching terminal 205 toconnection 98. With the key-receiving member in any position other thanthe key-securing position switching terminal 206 is electricallyisolated from the switch plate 149 (FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27) whenceconnections 100 and 101 are electrically disconnected from connection 98internally to the lock.

Vehicle ignition circuit 120 is connected between one terminal of thevehicle battery 107 and switching terminal 204 and, with the lock in theunlocked operate or unlocked start positions (FIGS. 26 and 27,respectively), is connected through switch plate 149 and contact points199 and 201 to switching terminal 205 and hence to the opposite terminalof battery 107. Vehicle start relay 121 is connected between oneterminal of the vehicle battery 107 and switching terminal 203 and, withthe lock in the unlocked start position (FIG. 27 is connected throughswitch plate 149 and contact points 200 and 201 to switching terminal205 and hence to the opposite terminal of battery 107, permittingstarting of the vehicle in the usual manner. With the key-receivingmember in either the locked or key-securing positions switchingterminals 203 and 204 are electrically disconnected from the switchplate and hence from switching terminal 205, thus preventing operationof the vehicle.

Referring now more particularly to the remote control station portionsof FIGS. 13 and 28, a remote control station battery or power supply 106and the vehicle battery 107 preferably have their similar polarityterminals, herein shown as their negative terminals, connected throughplug and socket connection 98. A two position switch 102 and a threeposition selfcentering switch 103 are mechanically coupled so thatswitch 102 remains in a position corresponding to the last manuallyactuated position of switch 103 after switch 103 has returned to itscentral position, in which it is open relative to its contacts 104 and105, upon removal of the actuating force. One end of relay coil 109 isconnected to plug and socket connection 99, the other end of this relaycoil being connected to contact 110 of switch 102. One terminal of alarm11] is connected at 112 to the conductor joining battery 106 to plug andsocket connection 98, the other terminal of the alarm being connected toa relay switch 1 13 controlled by relay coil 109. Contact 114 of relayswitch 113 is connected to contact 110 of switch 102. One terminal of anindicator lamp 115 is connected at 116 to the conductor which joinsbattery 106 to plug and socket connection 98, while the other terminalof said lamp is connected to contact 110 of switch 102. A secondindicator lamp 117 has one terminal connected at 1 18 to the conductorwhich joins battery 106 to plug and socket connection 98, the otherterminal of the lamp being connected to contact 119 of switch 102. Theswitching members of switches 102 and 103 are connected to the oppositeterminal of battery 106, herein shown as the positive terminal, andcontacts 104 and 105 of switch 103 are connected to plug and socketconnections 100 and 101, respectively.

FIGS. 14 and 29 show an alternate circuit configuration to permitvehicle acquisition or return by use of a machine readable credit oridentification card. All items common to FIGS. 13, 14, 28 and 29 aresimilarly numbered and operate in the manner and perform the functionsdescribed for FIGS. 13 and 28, with the single exception that switch 103is electromagnetically actuated by a key-release coil 122 or a keyretain coil 123 instead of being manually actuated. A card reader 124 isconnected to input 125 ofa data processor 126, the output of the dataprocessor being applied to an alarm 127 in the case of an unacceptablecard. In the case of an acceptable card the output of the data processoris applied to either the key-release coil 122 or the key-retain coil 123by closure of a key-release switch 128 or a key-retain switch 129,causing switch 103 to close on contact 105 or 104 respectively. Switches128 and 129 are spring loaded into the normally open position in theabsence of manual force and, with the card reader 124, are accessible toand operable by the lessee to acquire or return a vehicle.

In the condition specifically illustrated by FIGS. 13 and 28 the leasedvehicle has been returned to the remote control station or lease depotand has been connected to the remote control station or lease depotcircuit; return of the vehicle has been recognized by the controlstation attendant by momentary closure of switch 103 on contact 104,causing switch 102 to close and remain closed upon contact 110 afterswitch 103 has been released and returned to an open circuit conditionrelative to contacts 104 and 105. Assuming the key to be fully insertedinto the lock and the lock to hem the key-securing position at the timeof vehicle return, the lock circuit between plug and socket connections98 and 100 will be completed through the key-retaining or securingelectromagnet of the lock,

and energization of this electromagnet by closure of switch 103 oncontact 104 will cause the key to be secured against removal from thelock and will cause the key-receiving member to be secured againstrotation out of the key-securing position, thus preventing energizationof the vehicle ignition circuit or start relay.

Also, assuming the key to be fully inserted into the lock and the lockto be in the key-securing position, circuit continuity through the lockbetween plug and socket connections 98 and 99 will cause energization ofrelay coil 109 when switch 102 is closed upon contact 110, thus holdingrelay switch 113 open relative to its contact 114 and preventingoperation of the alarm 111 as long as circuit continuity is maintainedbetween plug and socket connections 98 and 99 externally to the remotecontrol station. Closure of switch 102 on contact 110 also completes thecircuit of indicator lamp 115, thus displaying the returned status ofthe vehicle at the remote control station.

Any attempt to return the vehicle with the key removed from orincompletely inserted into the lock, or with the lock in any positionother than the keysecuring position, will, because of the open circuitcondition of the lock relative to plug and socket connections 98 and 99,prevent energization of relay coil 109 when switch 102 is closed uponcontact 1 10, thus causing switch 113 to remain closed upon its contact114 and energizing the alarm 111. Similarly any attempt to return thevehicle with the plug and socket connection disconnected will, becauseof the open circuit condition between plug and socket connections 98 and.99, cause energization of the alarm 111. Also, spurious disconnectionof the vehicle from the control station without prior disabling of thealarm circuit by the attendant will, by opening the circuit betweenconnections 98 and 99, energize the said alarm.

Authorization of a lease by the control station attendant by momentaryclosure of switch 103 on contact 105 causes energization of thereleasing electromagnet of the lock and retraction of the securingmeans, permitting rotation of the key-receiving member within the lockby the key and also permitting removal of the key from the lock. Saidmomentary closure of switch 103 on contact 105 causes switch 102 to openand remain open relative to contact and to close and remain closed uponcontact 119, thus opening the alarm circuit and preventing energizationof alarm 11 1 when the vehicle is disconnected from the control station,or when lock circuit continuity between plug and socket connections 98and 99 is interrupted by rotation of the key-receiving member out of thekey-securing position or by removal of the key from the key-receivingmember. Opening of switch 102 relative to contact 110 and its closureupon contact 119 also deenergizes indicator lamp and energizes indicatorlamp 117, displaying the leased status of the vehicle at the remotecontrol station.

The circuit is now in a configuration permitting disconnection of thevehicle from the remote control station without energization of thealarm, and the lock assembly is in a configuration permitting operationof the vehicle by use of the key in a conventional manner. Retention ofthe securing means in the released position as previously described, andin the absence of a securing signal from the remote control station,permits repeated insertion and removal of the key relative to the lock,and permits repeated and exclusive operational access to the vehicle bythe possessor of the key for the period of the lease and until thevehicle is returned to the remote control station or lease depot and thelease is terminated by securing of the key within the lock and securingof the key-receiving member against rotation out of the key-securingposition, in which position it is inoperative relative to the equipmentcontrolled by the lock.

Inadvertent movement of the securing means into the key and cylindersecuring position, as might be caused by road shock, impact or vibrationsufficient to overcome the detenting action of the detent member withinthe detent groove is positively prevented during operation of thevehicle by the previously described blocking action of the lock members,this blocking action also being operable when the vehicle is left parkedwith the key removed from the lock.

By equipping the means of access to the passenger and luggagecompartments of the vehicle with locks operable by the above describedkey, the key when re leased and acquired in the manner described permitsexclusive access to these compartments by the possessor of the key forthe duration of the lease. Also, by omitting the internally lockablefeature conventional to vehicle doors and rendering such doors lockableonly by use of the key in the door lock, the requirement that the key bein the key-securing lock to obtain recognition of vehicle return by theremote control station precluded the possibility of the vehicle beingreturned with the passenger compartment and hence the keysecuring lockinaccessible to the next lessee due to locking of the passengercompartment door. The electrical switching and remote controlkey-securing means described herein are omitted on the passenger andluggage compartment locks.

In the case of untended remote control station or lease depot operationthrough use of machine readable credit or identification cards theoutput of the data processor, instead of being applied to statusindicator lamps as described in the referenced U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,200,194and 3,544,769, is instead applied to an alarm in the case of anunacceptable card or, in the case of an acceptable card, to thekey-release coil 122 or the key-retain coil 123 at the option of thelessee. In this application the card reader 124, key release switch 128and key-retain switch 129 are accessible to the lessee. In the .case ofa lease the lessee credit or identification card is inserted into thecard reader and the key-release switch 128 is held closed by the lesseecausing, in the case of an acceptable card, the output pulse from thedata processor to energize the keyrelease coil 122 and cause momentaryclosure of switch 103 on contact 105, thereby releasing the key andkey-receiving member as described above. For return of the vehicle upontermination of the lease the procedure is repeated but with thekey-retain switch 129 being held closed, thus causing the output pulsefrom the data processor to energize the key-retain coil 123 and causemomentary closure of switch 103 on contact 104, thus securing the keyand key-receiving member in the key-securing position as also describedabove.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described interms of specific embodiments and in general in terms of aspecific'vehicle lease application, the invention can be embodied inother forms and for application to use accessibility of other equipmentwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Inparticular electronic switching means may be substituted for themechanical relays and switches associated with the remote controlstation. Also in particular, use of the key-securing lock in controllingaccess to locked enclosures by the operation of a drawbolt eitherdirectly connected to and mechanically operable by the lock orelectromagnetically operable by the lock is anticipated. Also inparticular, deletion of the momentary switching capability forapplications requiring only continuous energization of an electriccircuit is anticipated.

I claim:

l. A key-receiving lock assembly for use with apparatus and forcontrolling at least part of the apparatus by means thereof when the keyis present in the assembly, the assembly including a key-receivingmember having a primary predetermined position in which the key isinsertable therein and removable therefrom, at least one control membermovable when the key is in the key-receiving member, key-retaining meansoperable from a point remote from the lock assembly for securing the keyagainst removal from said key-receiving memer when said key-receivingmember is in said primary predetermined position, said key-retainingmeans when operable preventing movement of said key-receiving member toa position other than said primary predetermined position, and saidkey-retaining means preventing movement of said at least one movablecontrol member when said key is secured against removal from saidkey-receiving member.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including keyreleasing meansoperable remotely of the assembly for releasing the key for removal fromthe keyreceiving member when said key-receiving member is in saidprimary predetermined position, said keyreleasing means permittingmovement of said keyreceiving member to positions other than saidprimary predetermined position when said key is in said keyreceivingmember, and said key-releasing means permitting movement of said atleast one movable control member when said key is in said key-receivingmember and when said key is released to permit removal from saidkey-receiving member.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key-retaining means,when released to permit removal of the key from the key-receivingmember, and when released to permit movement of said key-receivingmember to positions other than said primary predetermined position, andwhen released to permit movement of the said at least one movablecontrol member, permits repeated removal and insertion of said key whensaid key-receiving member is in said primary predetermined position andpermits repeated movement of said key-receiving member to and frompositions other than said primary predetermined position when said keyis in said key-receiving member, and therefore permits repeated andexclusive operational access to the apparatus controlled by the lockassembly by the use of said key until the key is once again secured bysaid remotely operable key-retaining means against removal from the lockand the key-receiving member is once again secured against movement to aposition other than said primary predetermined position, whereby thesaid at least one movable control member is secured against movement bysaid key or by said key-receiving member.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, and including disconnectableconnecting means between said lock assembly and said means operableremotely of said lock assembly whereby said apparatus controlled by saidlock assembly may be disconnected from the remote means subsequent torelease of said key and said repeated and exclusive operational accessto the apparatus controlled by the lock assembly is thereafterindependent of connection to said remotely operable means or location ofthe said lock assembly and said apparatus relative to said remotelyoperable means.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including means positivelypreventing movement of the keyretaining means into the key-retainingposition when the key is removed from or not fully inserted into thekey-receiving member or when the key is fully inserted into saidkey-receiving member and said key-receiving member is in any positionother than the said primary predetermined position.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including means for providingan indication at the remote operating point upon an attempt to securethe key against removal from the key-receiving member when said key isremoved from or not fully inserted into said keyreceiving member, orwhen said key is fully inserted v into said key-receiving member andsaid key-receiving member is in any position other than said primarypredetermined position.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said key-receiving memberhas in addition to the said primary predetermined position in which thekey is insertable therein and removable therefrom, a second position inwhich said key-receiving member will dwell in the absence of externalforce thereon to move it from the second position, and a third positionin which the key-receiving member may be maintained only upon sustainedapplication of external force.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, and including a pair of electricswitches operable by one of said movable control members, one switchbeing closed only when the key is fully inserted into the key-receivingmember and said key-receiving member is in said primary predeterminedposition, and the other switch being closed only when said key is insaid key-receiving member and said'key-receiving member is in a positionother than said primary predetermined position, and both switches beingopen when the key is removed from or not fully inserted into saidkey-receiving member.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, and including an electric switchoperable by a control member movable by said key-receiving member toclose transiently a circuit in which said switch is connected when saidkey-receiving member is maintained in the said third position byapplication of an external force.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said key-retainingmeans comprises a movable latch member engagable mechanically with thekey in the key-receiving member, and electric motor means connected tothe latch means for movement thereof upon receipt of an electric signal.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein movement of said movablelatch member to a disengaged position in which it is disengagedmechanically from the key permits movement of the movable control memberto a blocking position in which it prevents return of said latch memberto the key-retaining position until it is positively moved from the saidblocking position.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, and including means inhibitingthe key-retaining signal to said electric motor means if the key isremoved from or not fully inserted into said key-receiving member or ifthe key is fully inserted into said key-receiving member and saidkey-receiving member is in any position other than said primarypredetermined position.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, and including spring means forpositively retaining the movable latch member in the key-retainingposition or in the key-disengaged position in the absence of an electricsignal to said electric motor means.

14. A key-receiving lock assembly for use with apparatus and forcontrolling at least part of the apparatus by means thereof when the keyis present in the assembly, the assembly including a key-receivingmember having a primary predetermined position in which the key isinsertable therein and removable therefrom and said key-receiving memberhaving at least one other secondary predetermined position in which theapparatus is inoperable by the lock and in which said secondarypredetermined position the key is not insertable into or removable fromthe key-receiving member and into which said secondary predeterminedposition the key-receiving member may be moved only when the key is inthe key-receiving member, and including at least one control membermovable when the key is in the key-receiving member, key-receivingmember securing means operable from a point remote from the lockassembly for securing said key-receiving member against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position, and said key-receiving membersecuring means preventing movement of said at least one movable controlmember when said key-receiving member is secured against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, and including key-receivingmember releasing means operable remotely of the assembly for releasingthe keyreceiving member for movement to positions other than saidsecondary predetermined position when the key is in the key-receivingmember, and for releasing the key for removal from and insertion intosaid keyreceiving member when said key-receiving member is moved intosaid primary predetermined position, and said key-receiving memberreleasing means permitting movement of said at least one movable controlmember when said key is in said key-receiving member and when saidkey-receiving member is released to permit movement out of saidsecondary predetermined position.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the key-receiving membersecuring means, when released to permit movement of the key'receivingmember to positions other than said secondary predetermined position,and when released to permit removal of the key from said key-receivingmember when said keyreceiving member is moved into said primarypredetermined position, and when released to permit movement of the saidat least one movable control member, permits repeated insertion andremoval of said key when said key-receiving member is in said primarypredetermined position and permits repeated movement of saidkey-receiving member to and from positions other than said primary andsecondary predetermined positions when said key is in said key-receivingmember, and therefore permits repeated and exclusive operational accessto the apparatus controlled by the lock assembly by the use of said keyuntil the keyreceiving member is once again secured by said remotelyoperable key-receiving member securing means against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position, whereby the key is securedagainst removal from the key-receiving member and whereby the said atleast one movable control member is secured against movement by said keyor by said keyreceiving member.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16, and including disconnectableconnecting means between said lock assembly and said means operableremotely of said lock assembly whereby said apparatus controlled by saidlock assembly may be disconnected from the remote control meanssubsequent to release of said key-receiving member and said repeated andexclusive operational access to the apparatus controlled by the lockassembly is thereafter independent of connection to said remotelyoperable means or location of said lock assembly and said apparatusrelative to said remotely operable means.

18. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, and including means positivelypreventing movement of the keyreceiving member securing means into thekeyreceiving member securing position when the keyreceiving member is inany position other than the said secondary predetermined position orwhen the key is removed from or not fully inserted into saidkeyreceiving member.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, and including means forproviding an indication at the remote operating point upon an attempt tosecure the keyreceiving member against movement out of said secondarypredetermined position when the said keyreceiving member is in anyposition other than said secondary predetermined position or when saidkey is removed from or not fully inserted into said keyreceiving member.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said key-receivingmember, in addition to the said primary predetermined position in whichthe key is insertable therein and removable therefrom, and in additionto the said secondary predetermined position into which thekey-receiving member may be secured against movement out of saidsecondary predetermined position, has a third position in which saidkey-receiving member will dwell in the absence of external force thereonto move it from the third position, and a fourth position in which thekey-receiving member may be maintained only upon sustained applicationof external force.

21. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, and including a pair of electricswitches constituted in part by and operable by said at least onemovable control member, one switch being closed only when saidkey-receiving member is in said secondary predetermined position and theother switch being closed only when said keyreceiving member is in aposition other than said primary or secondary predetermined position,and both switches being open when said key-receiving member is in saidprimary predetermined position.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, and including an electric switchconstituted in part by and operable by said at least one movable controlmember to close transiently a circuit in which said switch is connectedwhen said key-receiving member is maintained in the said fourth positionby application of external force.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the said key-receivingmember securing means comprises a movable member engageable mechanicallywith the key-receiving member, and electric motor means connectedto themovable member means for movement thereof upon receipt of an electricsignal.

24. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein movement of said movablemember to a disengaged position in which it is disengaged mechanicallyfrom the key-receiving member permits movement of the key-receivingmember to a blocking position in which it positively prevents return ofsaid movable member to the key-receiving member securing position.

25. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, and including means inhibitingthe key-receiving member securing signal to said electric motor meanswhen said keyreceiving member is in any position other than the saidsecondary predetermined position.

26. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, and including detenting meansfor positively retaining the said movable member in the key-receivingmember securing position or in the key-receiving member release positionin the absence of an electric signal to said electric motor means.

27. Apparatus with key-receiving lock controlled access comprising, alock connected to the apparatus and having a predetermined position forthe key in only which position said key can be removed from the lock, acontrol member controlled by the lock and operable by the lock with thekey therein to control a function of the apparatus, and the lockincluding means operable from a point remote therefrom upon receipt ofrespective signals for selectively securing the key against withdrawalfrom the lock and for releasing the key for removal from the lock.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, and including means for preventingoperation of the control member when the key is secured within the lockby said remotely operable means and permitting operation of said controlmember when the key is released by said remotely operable means.

29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, and including means for permittingrepeated insertion and removal of the key and permitting repeated andexclusive access to the apparatus controlled by the lock when the keyhas been released by said remotely operable means and until the key isonce again secured by the said remotely operable means againstwithdrawal from the lock.

30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said repeated insertionand removal of the key and said repeated and exclusive access to theapparatus controlled by the lock is independent of connection to saidremotely operable means and is independent of the location of saidapparatus relative to said remotely operable means.

31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the said control member isan electric switch controlling an operation of the apparatus.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the lock includes meansfor preventing movement of the key-securing means into the key-securingposition if the key is removed from or not fully inserted into the lockor if the key is fully inserted into the lock and the lock is in anyposition other than that position in which the key is securable withinthe lock.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, and including means inhibiting thekey-securing signal to the keysecuring means if the key is removed fromor not fully inserted into the lock or if the key is fully inserted intothe lock and the lock is in any position other than that position inwhich the key is securable within the lock.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, and including at least one otherlock operable by the key of the first mentioned lock when said key hasbeen released by and removed from said first mentioned lock.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein there are provided meansfor releasably connecting the apparatus to a remote control stationconstituting the said remote point and the said remotely operable meansare operable from said remote control station through said releasableconnection.

36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote control stationincludes means operable to release and secure the key.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein said means operable torelease and secure the key comprise operator controlled means.

38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein said means operable torelease and secure the key comprise an identity card reader.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the said releasableconnection is an electrical connection and the said remotely operablemeans comprise an electric circuit.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, and including means indicating atthe said remote control station the key-released and key-secured statusof the lock.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote control stationincludes means detecting the absence of the key from or the incompleteinsertion of the key into the lock, or the positioning of the lock inany position other than that in which the key is securable within thelock, said detecting means being operable at the time of and subsequentto an attempt being made to secure the key within the lock.

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote control stationincludes means detecting failure to reconnect the said releasableconnection prior to action being taken to secure the key within thelock. 43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote controlstation includes means detecting disconnection of said releasableconnection or other sev erance of the electrical connection withoutprior release of the key by said remote control station.

44. Apparatus as claimed in claimm 43, wherein the remote controlstation includes means inactivating said disconnection detection meansupon and subsequent to release of the key.

1. A key-receiving lock assembly for use with apparatus and forcontrolling at least part of the apparatus by means thereof when the keyis present in the assembly, the assembly including a keyreceiving memberhaving a primary predetermined position in which the key is insertabletherein and removable therefrom, at least one control member movablewhen the key is in the key-receiving member, key-retaining meansoperable from a point remote from the lock assembly for securing the keyagainst removal from said keyreceiving memer when said key-receivingmember is in said primary predetermined position, said key-retainingmeans when operable preventing movement of said key-receiving member toa position other than said primary predetermined position, and saidkeyretaining means preventing movement of said at least one movablecontrol member when said key is secured against removal from saidkey-receiving member.
 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, andincluding key-releasing means operable remotely of the assembly forreleasing the key for removal from the key-receiving member when saidkey-receiving member is in said primary predetermined position, saidkey-releasing means permitting movement of said key-receiving member topositions other than said primary predetermined position when said keyis in said key-receiving member, and said key-releasing means permittingmovement of said at least one movable control member when said key is insaid key-receiving member and when said key is released to permitremoval from said key-receiving member.
 3. An assembly as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the key-retaining means, when released to permitremoval of the key from the key-receiving member, and when released topermit movement of said key-receiving member to positions other thansaid primary predetermined position, and when released to permitmovement of the said at least one movable control member, permitsrepeated removal and insertion of said key when said key-receivingmember is in said primary predetermined position and permits repeatedmovement of said key-receiving member to and from positions other thansaid primary predetermined position when said key is in saidkey-receiving member, and therefore permits repeated and exclusiveoperational access to the apparatus controlled by the lock assembly bythe use of said key until the key is once again secured by said remotelyoperable key-retaining means against removal from the lock and thekey-receiving member is once again secured against movement to aposition other than said primary predetermined position, whereby thesaid at least one movable control member is secured against movement bysaid key or by said key-receiving member.
 4. An assembly as claimed inclaim 3, and including disconnectable connecting means between said lockassembly and said means operable remotely of said lock assembly wherebysaid apparatus controlled by said lock assembly may be disconnected fromthe remote means subsequent to release of said key and said repeated andexclusive operational access to the apparatus controlled by the lockassembly is thereafter independent of connection to said remotelyoperable means or location of the said lock assembly and said apparatusrelative to said remotely operable means.
 5. An assembly as claimed inclaim 1, and including means positively preventing movement of thekey-retaining means into the key-retaining position when the key isremoved from or not fully inserted into the key-receiving member or whenthe key is fully inserted into said key-receiving member and saidkey-receiving member is in any position other than the said primarypredetermined position.
 6. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, andincluding means for providing an indication at the remote operatingpoint upon an attempt to secure the key against removal from thekey-receiving member when said key is removed from or not fully insertedinto said key-receiving member, or when saiD key is fully inserted intosaid key-receiving member and said key-receiving member is in anyposition other than said primary predetermined position.
 7. An assemblyas claimed in claim 1, wherein said key-receiving member has in additionto the said primary predetermined position in which the key isinsertable therein and removable therefrom, a second position in whichsaid key-receiving member will dwell in the absence of external forcethereon to move it from the second position, and a third position inwhich the key-receiving member may be maintained only upon sustainedapplication of external force.
 8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, andincluding a pair of electric switches operable by one of said movablecontrol members, one switch being closed only when the key is fullyinserted into the key-receiving member and said key-receiving member isin said primary predetermined position, and the other switch beingclosed only when said key is in said key-receiving member and saidkey-receiving member is in a position other than said primarypredetermined position, and both switches being open when the key isremoved from or not fully inserted into said key-receiving member.
 9. Anassembly as claimed in claim 7, and including an electric switchoperable by a control member movable by said key-receiving member toclose transiently a circuit in which said switch is connected when saidkey-receiving member is maintained in the said third position byapplication of an external force.
 10. An assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the said key-retaining means comprises a movable latch memberengagable mechanically with the key in the key-receiving member, andelectric motor means connected to the latch means for movement thereofupon receipt of an electric signal.
 11. An assembly as claimed in claim10, wherein movement of said movable latch member to a disengagedposition in which it is disengaged mechanically from the key permitsmovement of the movable control member to a blocking position in whichit prevents return of said latch member to the key-retaining positionuntil it is positively moved from the said blocking position.
 12. Anassembly as claimed in claim 10, and including means inhibiting thekey-retaining signal to said electric motor means if the key is removedfrom or not fully inserted into said key-receiving member or if the keyis fully inserted into said key-receiving member and said key-receivingmember is in any position other than said primary predeterminedposition.
 13. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, and including springmeans for positively retaining the movable latch member in thekey-retaining position or in the key-disengaged position in the absenceof an electric signal to said electric motor means.
 14. A key-receivinglock assembly for use with apparatus and for controlling at least partof the apparatus by means thereof when the key is present in theassembly, the assembly including a key-receiving member having a primarypredetermined position in which the key is insertable therein andremovable therefrom and said key-receiving member having at least oneother secondary predetermined position in which the apparatus isinoperable by the lock and in which said secondary predeterminedposition the key is not insertable into or removable from thekey-receiving member and into which said secondary predeterminedposition the key-receiving member may be moved only when the key is inthe key-receiving member, and including at least one control membermovable when the key is in the key-receiving member, key-receivingmember securing means operable from a point remote from the lockassembly for securing said key-receiving member against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position, and said key-receiving membersecuring means preventing movement of said at least one movable controlmember when said key-receiving member is secured against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position.
 15. An assembly as claImed inclaim 14, and including key-receiving member releasing means operableremotely of the assembly for releasing the key-receiving member formovement to positions other than said secondary predetermined positionwhen the key is in the key-receiving member, and for releasing the keyfor removal from and insertion into said key-receiving member when saidkey-receiving member is moved into said primary predetermined position,and said key-receiving member releasing means permitting movement ofsaid at least one movable control member when said key is in saidkey-receiving member and when said key-receiving member is released topermit movement out of said secondary predetermined position.
 16. Anassembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the key-receiving membersecuring means, when released to permit movement of the key-receivingmember to positions other than said secondary predetermined position,and when released to permit removal of the key from said key-receivingmember when said key-receiving member is moved into said primarypredetermined position, and when released to permit movement of the saidat least one movable control member, permits repeated insertion andremoval of said key when said key-receiving member is in said primarypredetermined position and permits repeated movement of saidkey-receiving member to and from positions other than said primary andsecondary predetermined positions when said key is in said key-receivingmember, and therefore permits repeated and exclusive operational accessto the apparatus controlled by the lock assembly by the use of said keyuntil the key-receiving member is once again secured by said remotelyoperable key-receiving member securing means against movement out ofsaid secondary predetermined position, whereby the key is securedagainst removal from the key-receiving member and whereby the said atleast one movable control member is secured against movement by said keyor by said key-receiving member.
 17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16,and including disconnectable connecting means between said lock assemblyand said means operable remotely of said lock assembly whereby saidapparatus controlled by said lock assembly may be disconnected from theremote control means subsequent to release of said key-receiving memberand said repeated and exclusive operational access to the apparatuscontrolled by the lock assembly is thereafter independent of connectionto said remotely operable means or location of said lock assembly andsaid apparatus relative to said remotely operable means.
 18. An assemblyas claimed in claim 14, and including means positively preventingmovement of the key-receiving member securing means into thekey-receiving member securing position when the key-receiving member isin any position other than the said secondary predetermined position orwhen the key is removed from or not fully inserted into saidkey-receiving member.
 19. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, andincluding means for providing an indication at the remote operatingpoint upon an attempt to secure the key-receiving member againstmovement out of said secondary predetermined position when the saidkey-receiving member is in any position other than said secondarypredetermined position or when said key is removed from or not fullyinserted into said key-receiving member.
 20. An assembly as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said key-receiving member, in addition to the saidprimary predetermined position in which the key is insertable thereinand removable therefrom, and in addition to the said secondarypredetermined position into which the key-receiving member may besecured against movement out of said secondary predetermined position,has a third position in which said key-receiving member will dwell inthe absence of external force thereon to move it from the thirdposition, and a fourth position in which the key-receiving member may bemaintained only upon sustained application of external force.
 21. Anassembly as claimed In claim 20, and including a pair of electricswitches constituted in part by and operable by said at least onemovable control member, one switch being closed only when saidkey-receiving member is in said secondary predetermined position and theother switch being closed only when said key-receiving member is in aposition other than said primary or secondary predetermined position,and both switches being open when said key-receiving member is in saidprimary predetermined position.
 22. An assembly as claimed in claim 20,and including an electric switch constituted in part by and operable bysaid at least one movable control member to close transiently a circuitin which said switch is connected when said key-receiving member ismaintained in the said fourth position by application of external force.23. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the said key-receivingmember securing means comprises a movable member engageable mechanicallywith the key-receiving member, and electric motor means connected to themovable member means for movement thereof upon receipt of an electricsignal.
 24. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein movement of saidmovable member to a disengaged position in which it is disengagedmechanically from the key-receiving member permits movement of thekey-receiving member to a blocking position in which it positivelyprevents return of said movable member to the key-receiving membersecuring position.
 25. An assembly as claimed in claim 23, and includingmeans inhibiting the key-receiving member securing signal to saidelectric motor means when said key-receiving member is in any positionother than the said secondary predetermined position.
 26. An assembly asclaimed in claim 23, and including detenting means for positivelyretaining the said movable member in the key-receiving member securingposition or in the key-receiving member release position in the absenceof an electric signal to said electric motor means.
 27. Apparatus withkey-receiving lock controlled access comprising, a lock connected to theapparatus and having a predetermined position for the key in only whichposition said key can be removed from the lock, a control membercontrolled by the lock and operable by the lock with the key therein tocontrol a function of the apparatus, and the lock including meansoperable from a point remote therefrom upon receipt of respectivesignals for selectively securing the key against withdrawal from thelock and for releasing the key for removal from the lock.
 28. Apparatusas claimed in claim 27, and including means for preventing operation ofthe control member when the key is secured within the lock by saidremotely operable means and permitting operation of said control memberwhen the key is released by said remotely operable means.
 29. Apparatusas claimed in claim 27, and including means for permitting repeatedinsertion and removal of the key and permitting repeated and exclusiveaccess to the apparatus controlled by the lock when the key has beenreleased by said remotely operable means and until the key is once againsecured by the said remotely operable means against withdrawal from thelock.
 30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein said repeatedinsertion and removal of the key and said repeated and exclusive accessto the apparatus controlled by the lock is independent of connection tosaid remotely operable means and is independent of the location of saidapparatus relative to said remotely operable means.
 31. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 27, wherein the said control member is an electricswitch controlling an operation of the apparatus.
 32. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 27, wherein the lock includes means for preventingmovement of the key-securing means into the key-securing position if thekey is removed from or not fully inserted into the lock or if the key isfully inserted into the lock and the lock is in any position other thanthat position in which the key is securable wIthin the lock. 33.Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, and including means inhibiting thekey-securing signal to the key-securing means if the key is removed fromor not fully inserted into the lock or if the key is fully inserted intothe lock and the lock is in any position other than that position inwhich the key is securable within the lock.
 34. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 27, and including at least one other lock operable by the key ofthe first mentioned lock when said key has been released by and removedfrom said first mentioned lock.
 35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27,wherein there are provided means for releasably connecting the apparatusto a remote control station constituting the said remote point and thesaid remotely operable means are operable from said remote controlstation through said releasable connection.
 36. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 35, wherein the remote control station includes means operable torelease and secure the key.
 37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36,wherein said means operable to release and secure the key compriseoperator controlled means.
 38. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, whereinsaid means operable to release and secure the key comprise an identitycard reader.
 39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the saidreleasable connection is an electrical connection and the said remotelyoperable means comprise an electric circuit.
 40. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 35, and including means indicating at the said remote controlstation the key-released and key-secured status of the lock. 41.Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote control stationincludes means detecting the absence of the key from or the incompleteinsertion of the key into the lock, or the positioning of the lock inany position other than that in which the key is securable within thelock, said detecting means being operable at the time of and subsequentto an attempt being made to secure the key within the lock. 42.Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote control stationincludes means detecting failure to reconnect the said releasableconnection prior to action being taken to secure the key within thelock.
 43. Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote controlstation includes means detecting disconnection of said releasableconnection or other severance of the electrical connection without priorrelease of the key by said remote control station.
 44. Apparatus asclaimed in claimm 43, wherein the remote control station includes meansinactivating said disconnection detection means upon and subsequent torelease of the key.